NBA rumors: Damian Lillard nixes the Warriors
Damian Lillard joined the Come and Talk 2 Me podcast with Cam and Ma$e, talking about championships, NBA drug tests, and the Golden State Warriors.
In the wake of Lillard's offseason trade request, there was some speculation that Dame would join the Warriors and form this terrifying super team. However, despite Dame's native-Oakland status, Lillard has no interest in playing in the Bayunless it's for an away game.
Per Lillard on the Come and Talk 2 Me podcast:
"As far as like Golden State, I respect what they've been doing over the last eight, nine years or whatever and I'm from there obviously. That's home. But I can't go be a part of that.They've won four championships… Like what I look like going to try to do that and say oh I'm joining my home team. Like no. It's somebody that played my position that's behind LeBron the best player of this era. It don't even make sense. I never do nothing like that. I lose every year before I go."
So, Dame wants to contend for a championship, but clearly not by any means. Lillard's Trail Blazers have been eliminated from the playoffs by Golden State three times in four years. If Lillard was anything like Kevin Durant, the NBA's poster-child of "if you can't beat em, join em," he'd be on the Warriors right now. However, Lillard explained this is something he could never do.
"I think KD is one of the greatest players of all time." Lillard said, "But, if I was in his shoes, I wouldn't have done that personally. I just feel like it's a team they lost to. It's a team that had won it a couple of times."
Whether Lillard moves to South Beach, Toronto -- or anywhere else -- is still up for negotiation. However, it's safe to assume that he won't wear a Warriors uniform anytime soon.
NBA rumors: Zion training differently
Finally, some good news came out of the Pelicans' training facilities. According to Christian Clark of The Times-Piciyune, Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin said several players remained in New Orleans this summer, "to focus on coming into this season in the best possible condition." In light of Trey Parker's meniscus injury, this is great news.
"I can tell you Zion Williamson has been in our gym more than he has in his entire career in the offseason," Griffin said. "He has been in New Orleans virtually all offseason, which is different." In the past, Zion's injuries have kept him off the court, and the Pelicans have suffered the consequences. Zion has taken responsibility for this, saying there's lots of things he could've done better and how he's in the process of fixing those wrongs.
As Clark reported, last season a healthy Zion led the Pelicans to an impressive 18-8 start. However, after suffering a hamstring injury, Zion missed the last 45 games of the season. During that time, the Pelicans went 19-26.
The Pelicans' postseason hopes were dashed last year, after they lost to the Thunder at home in the final seconds of the Play-In game. VP Griffin spoke highly of his team as they prepare toenterthe newseason." We know we have a group that is talented enough," Griffin said. "We have a group that has the ability. That has the bones of being a good team. What we also know is we haven't found a way to put it all together. I think what we need to do is continue to work towards that."
With Ingram playing for a new contract and Zion's newfound commitment to the gym, this could all bode very well for the Pelicans.
NBA rumors: Heat passed on Oubre
ESPN's Wojnarowski reported that the Sixers have signed Kelly oubre Jr to a one-year deal. Oubre is coming off a career-high shooting year. Last season, the former Hornet averaged a career-high 20.3 points on 43 percent shooting.
Many believed the Heat were eyeing Oubre, since less than a week ago Marc Stein reported via hissubstack:
"Multiple teams I've spoken to recently expect free agent swingman Kelly Oubre Jr. to ultimately land with the Miami Heat … provided that the Heat are ultimately successful in their quest to trade for Portland's Damian Lillard."
Seeing as the Heat lost Max Strus and Gabriel Vincent this offseason, they could have definitely used some of Oubre's offensive assistance. Barry Jackson, a Miami Herald writer, argued via twitter that the Heat did not strongly pursue Oubre. He wrote:
"Regarding Oubre going to Philadelphia, Heat isn't believed to have strongly pursued. One rep for another player said Heat ideally would like Lillard clarity before adding more, though that's not primary reason for Heat's Oubre decision."
So, two very conflicting takes. It's difficult to say how this affects Lillard's likelihood of reaching Miami. All in all, James Harden's fleeting commitment to Daryl Morey and the Sixers makes Oubre an excellent choice for Philly.
